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BUSINESS AVIATION AND THE BOARDROOM
Share Your Experiences Business Aviation’s Ongoing Need For Advocacy. Possibly the world’s most recognized expert on the value of Business Aviation, Jack Olcott is a former Editor and Publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine and Vice President within McGraw-Hill’s Aviation Week Group. He was President of the National Business Aviation Association from 1992 through 2003, and today Jack’s network and personal knowledge of Business Aviation uniquely qualifies him to oversee Business Aviation and the Boardroom. More information from www.generalaerocompany.com
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Almost as predictable as the coming of spring, the Obama Administration’s budget for fiscal year 2015 proposes additional user fees for business jets, observes Jack Olcott.
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irectors of companies using, or considering using business aircraft are aware of the benefits that accrue from this form of air transportation: Less time required to reach a passenger’s ultimate destination, greater productivity while traveling, efficient access to more locations, ability to explore new markets. Business aircraft are truly “offices that move”. It is common knowledge among users that Business Aviation facilitates economic growth by bringing the ebb and flow of commerce to all parts of our nation. What may not be common knowledge is the fee operators of business aircraft are taxed to gain
WORLD AIRCRAFT SALES MAGAZINE – April 2014
www.AvBuyer.com
access to the National Airspace System (NAS). All General Aviation aircraft powered by turbine engines (i.e., jets and turboprops not flown by the Airlines or the Military) pay $0.219 for each gallon of fuel purchased. If the aircraft consumes aviation gasoline, the user fee is $0.194 per gallon. While the amount of fuel-taxes paid has increased since the inception of the Airport/Airways Trust Fund in 1971, General Aviation users have been contributors to the NAS for more than 40 years. Furthermore, taxes are collected by the fuel-dispensing company at the time of purchase by the aircraft user, thereby eliminating the need for a separate government bureaucracy. In addition
Aircraft Index see Page 4